Heat Release, Flammability, Smoke and Toxic Hazard of Various Aircraft Insulated Wires

There has been considerable recent interest in the flammability hazards of aircraft wire and cable. This study evaluates the fire hazards associated with of eight commercial electrical wires used in the aerospace industry. Heat release, flammability, smoke, current overload, and toxicity are evaluated using standard and modified procedures. The results are compared to current regulations (1998) as well as other critical requirements. Two populations of wires are revealed in the study, one with low heat release, flammability susceptibility, smoke and toxic gas generation, and the other with values at or near their respective specification limit.